Lessons learned from others.

When I was 14 my older sister, Megan was 15 and learning to drive. Based on Megan’s terrible experience, I thought I would never learn to drive. Mom would say to Megan (on our way to Wednesday night church…in traffic), “PULL OVER. JUST PULL OVER. I CANNOT TAKE IT ANY MORE!”

That makes Mom sound mean but really, it was just hard to teach Megan to drive. She has marginally improved in the last 19 years.

I remember thinking that when I learned to drive, I would do things differently. I would live by the following rules. (1) Never agree to drive when it might be stressful (traffic). (2) Make Dad sit up front with me. (3) Take deep breaths and DON’T freak out. I am sure there were others.

I just tend to learn my lessons from watching others–I am sure it is little sister syndrome.

And lately, I have learned two lessons from other people; both are strangers.

The first I learned from a Patty Griffin song called Long Ride Home.

The lyrics of that song talks about the regrets the song writer has about a relationship–seemingly a spouse.

Long black limousine
Shiniest car I’ve ever seen
The back seat is nice and clean
She rides as quiet as a dream
Someone dug a hole six long feet in the ground
I said goodbye to you and I threw my roses down
Ain’t nothing left at all in the end of being proud
With me riding in this car, and you flying through the clouds

I’ve had some time to think about you
And watch the sun sink like a stone
I’ve had some time to think about you
On the long ride home

I have heard this song twice on the way to work this week and both times, it has struck me that I need to live this way. I need to leave pride behind and to love people well–especially Scott. Patty says it well with her words. Of course, none of us can fix the past, but moving forward, I want to love well.

The second lesson I have learned lately is living out 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

To me, this means finding hope (and joy!) in spite of everything going on in our lives. Most recently, Michael Morton has reminded me of this lesson in substantial way. He was imprisoned for 25 years for the murder of his wife, only to be released after DNA evidence proved his innocence. And his interview with the Austin American Statesman is a testimony to having joy in spite of ones circumstances. And even Morton acknowledges from where that joy comes.